Central University of Himachal Pradesh: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Dharamshala Campus Life

About Central University of Himachal Pradesh Kangra

The Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) is a central university established in 2009 under the Central Universities Act 2009, located in Dharamshala, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. It functions from campuses at Shahpur, Dharamshala and Dehra while its permanent campuses are under development. The university was set up by the Government of India as part of its initiative to create central universities in underserved states.

CUHP is recognised by the University Grants Commission and accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC, placing it among the higher-rated central universities. It offers a wide range of programmes in arts, humanities, social sciences, basic and applied sciences, commerce, management and vocational studies through multiple schools and departments. The university has gained notice for research output and recently featured in external rankings such as IIRF 2025 for government universities.

Key Highlights

Admission Process

Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra admits students to UG and PG programmes mainly through CUET-UG and CUET-PG conducted by NTA, followed by online counselling on the CUHP Samarth portal. For some programmes (Non-CUET, ODL/Online, PhD), the university conducts its own entrance/merit-based process as notified in the official admission prospectus.

UG (BA/BSc/BCom and other UG) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register and apply for CUET-UG on the NTA CUET Samarth portal with CUHP and desired UG programme selected.
2. Download CUET-UG admit card, appear for the test and keep the scorecard safely.
3. Visit CUHP admission portal (CUET-based UG & Certificate link) and complete online registration for 2025-26 UG admission.
4. Fill CUHP UG application form, upload documents and lock programme preferences before the last date.
5. Check CUHP UG merit/allotment lists; if shortlisted, accept the seat online and pay the admission fee.
6. Report to the allotted campus (Dharamshala/Shahpur/other notified centre) with originals for document verification and final enrolment.

PG (MA/MSc/MCom and other PG, including CUET-PG based) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Register and apply for CUET-PG on NTA portal with CUHP and desired PG programme selected.
2. Appear for CUET-PG and secure a valid score; download and save the scorecard.
3. Go to CUHP PG admission page and register on the CUHP Samarth admission portal for 2025-26.
4. Fill PG application form, enter CUET-PG score, upload certificates and submit with online payment.
5. Track PG selection/merit lists released by CUHP; confirm the allotted seat within the given timeline.
6. Complete physical/online reporting, document verification and pay the first-year fee to activate admission.

Non-CUET UG & PG (University Entrance/Merit-based) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Open CUHP Non-CUET admission portal for UG & PG (2025-26) from the official website.
2. Register as a new user, verify email/mobile and log in to the portal.
3. Select the Non-CUET programme, fill the online form and upload required documents.
4. Pay the application fee and submit the form before the notified deadline.
5. Download admit card (if entrance test is scheduled) and appear for the university test.
6. Check result/merit list, participate in counselling (if applicable), and complete fee payment and verification.

ODL/Online (CDOE) Programmes Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Visit CUHP CDOE section and open the Admission Prospectus 2025-26 for ODL/Online programmes.
2. Register on the CDOE admission portal and create your learner profile.
3. Select desired ODL/Online programme, fill details, upload scans and submit application.
4. Pay programme fee online the schedule in the prospectus.
5. Download admission confirmation/ID card from the portal once approved.

PhD Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Check CUHP PhD Admission 2025-26 notification and list of disciplines on the official website.
2. Apply online for PhD by filling the university PhD application form and uploading a 1000-word research proposal and recommendation letters.
3. Appear for CUHP PhD entrance test (JRF/NET/SLET exempted as notified) at the designated centre.
4. Attend interview/viva if shortlisted based on entrance/JRF status.
5. Check final merit list based on composite score and confirm admission by paying fee and submitting documents.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
• Graduation and postgraduation mark sheets and degree certificates (for PG/PhD)
• CUET-UG / CUET-PG scorecard (for CUET-based admissions)
• Entrance test admit card and result (for CUHP tests like FEAT/PhD Entrance)
• Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate from last institution
• Category/Reservation certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) issued by competent authority
• PwD certificate, if applicable
• Photo identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving Licence)
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Proof of permanent residence/domicile, if required
• No Objection Certificate for sponsored/in-service candidates, wherever applicable

Cutoff 2025

Central University of Himachal Pradesh Kangra admissions in 2025 use CUET-UG and CUET-PG scores, with closing marks varying significantly by course and category. B.Sc (Hons) Physics and BFA programmes show higher CUET-UG cutoffs, while CUET-PG cutoffs for MA and MSc programmes span a wide marks range, indicating varied competition across disciplines.

Placements 2025

Placement data for Central University of Himachal Pradesh Kangra for 2025 is not yet available in the official placement reports or public domain. The latest verifiable placement statistics are from the 2023 batch.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: TCS, Cognizant, Accenture, Capgemini, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, OYO

Consulting: Deloitte, Ernst & Young

Core: Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Aditya Birla Group, Reliance

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Kangra does not feature in the published top NIRF, QS, THE, India Today or Outlook ranking tables for 2025 or 2024. The university participates in NIRF (data submitted on its official portal), but it has not secured a published all-India rank in the main released lists.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: Accredited with grade B++ (valid till 2028) – Central University of Himachal Pradesh official website
• NBA: No programmes with NBA accreditation listed on the official university website

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Kangra offers need- and merit-based fee concessions and support scholarships, and its students can access multiple central and Himachal Pradesh state scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal and state e‑scholarship systems. CUHP also facilitates national fellowships and specialized schemes for reserved categories, single girl children, research scholars, and economically weaker sections.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

Key Strengths

• Central University of Himachal Pradesh Kangra: Strong focus on Himalayan studies, environmental sciences, and interdisciplinary research with good industry-academia linkages in core sciences and humanities.
• Central University of Jammu: Regional leadership in social sciences, law, and Kashmir studies with active outreach in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Central University of Rajasthan: Emphasis on rural development, agriculture, and inclusive education with strong PhD output in sciences and social sciences.

Campus & Infrastructure

Central University of Himachal Pradesh functions from multiple campuses in Kangra district, with academic blocks at Dharamshala (including Shahpur) and Dehra, surrounded by the Dhauladhar range. The campuses house modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms, conference halls, labs and IT-enabled spaces.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: 25,000+ books, 150+ print journals, 100+ e-journals
• Labs: 1 Media Lab; departmental labs including Computational Biology Computer Lab, IT Lab, Chemistry Lab, Zoology Lab, Botany Lab, LIS Computer Lab
• Classrooms: All classrooms and lecture halls equipped with multimedia projectors and smart boards

Hostel

Other Facilities

• CUHP Library: INFLIBNET and DELNET membership, fully air-conditioned, SOUL Library Management Software, 5 computers, 3 printers, 2 barcode scanners
• Two open access libraries: Acharya Raghuveer Pustkalaya (Dharamshala) and Prof. S. R. Ranganathan Pustkalaya (Dehra)
• Campus-wide LAN and Wi‑Fi under NKN Campus Connect; video conferencing facility
• Canara Bank branch and 24×7 ATM on campus
• Auditorium with audio‑video systems for events and seminars
• University sports department offering chess, carrom, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis, football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, hockey
• Gym for boys and girls
• Medical clinic on campus
• Cafeteria serving snacks and meals

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CUHP Kangra take admission through CUET or its own entrance test?

Central University of Himachal Pradesh uses CUET-UG and CUET-PG scores for most UG and PG admissions, followed by university-level counselling through its Samarth portal. Applicants must register on cuhimachaladm.samarth.edu.in, fill choices and participate in merit-based seat allotment within notified deadlines.

What is the basic eligibility for admission to CUHP UG programmes?

For most UG programmes, candidates must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board. Final-year school students can apply, but they must submit the final marksheet at admission. Relaxation in minimum qualifying marks applies for reserved categories as notified by CUHP and UGC norms.

How does the counselling and seat allotment process work at CUHP?

After CUET results, CUHP publishes admission schedules and merit lists on the Samarth admission portal. Shortlisted candidates must upload documents, pay the first-semester fee online within the given window and confirm seats; those who miss the fee deadline are removed and their seats go to the next round.

Is CUHP fee structure affordable compared to private universities?

As a Central University funded by UGC, CUHP tuition and hostel charges are significantly lower than typical private universities. Students on forums highlight low hostel charges and reasonable mess costs, with overall annual study and stay expenses often kept within a modest budget for a central institution.

What scholarships or financial support are available at CUHP?

CUHP students can access central schemes such as NSP scholarships and UGC-funded fellowships, along with state scholarships for Himachal Pradesh domiciles where applicable. The university also routes government-funded scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and EWS students based on income and merit norms.

Does CUHP help students with education loans?

CUHP has a branch of Canara Bank on campus, along with a 24x7 ATM, which simplifies processing of education loans for eligible students. The bank typically offers standard educational loan products and students use admission letters and fee structures from CUHP to apply.

How are placements at Central University of Himachal Pradesh?

The university has a placement cell and an incubation centre that interfaces with companies and start-ups. Recruiters for CUHP include HDFC Bank, Aditya Birla Group and Reliance, and the campus also supports internships and entrepreneurship through its Institute Innovation Council.

What kind of companies come for MBA and management placements?

For management and related programmes, students on forums mention recruiters from banking, NBFC, FMCG and services sectors. Companies such as HDFC Bank, Aditya Birla Group and Reliance have been listed among top recruiters engaging with CUHP graduates and interns.

Does CUHP provide internship support during the degree?

CUHP runs an Institute Innovation Council and an incubation centre that connect students with corporate mentors and start-up ecosystems. These bodies, along with departmental placement coordinators, assist students in finding internships, project work and entrepreneurial opportunities during their course.

How is the faculty quality and student–teacher ratio at CUHP?

CUHP has around 188 faculty members for about 1,500+ students, giving a student–faculty ratio close to 8:1. Many departments are organised into 12 Schools and 23 Departments, and students on forums commonly rate faculty as knowledgeable and supportive, especially in postgraduate programmes.

What academic facilities like library and labs are available?

The university has an air-conditioned Library and Information Resource Centre with textbooks, journals, theses, e-books and e-journals, and memberships of INFLIBNET and DELNET. Departmental laboratories, smart classrooms with projectors, Wi‑Fi-enabled academic blocks and computer labs support practical and research work.

Is CUHP good for research and higher studies?

CUHP is a NAAC A+ accredited central research university with about 70 UG, PG, diploma and research programmes, and multiple research labs across departments. The digital learning management system, e-resources and active research centres support MPhil/PhD and project-based learning.

How are the hostels at CUHP in terms of distance, rooms and facilities?

The main hostels are rented buildings in Dharamshala with 2‑, 3‑ and 4‑seater tiled rooms, solar geysers and attached washrooms. Tea is served twice a day and hostel charges are described as reasonable, but many students find the distance from some campuses a drawback and sometimes opt for PGs around ₹4,500 per month.

Is transport provided between hostels and different CUHP campuses?

CUHP runs a mandatory bus service for students commuting to distant campuses such as Shahpur and Dehra from Dharamshala. University buses operate on fixed routes and timings, which is especially crucial because some teaching centres and hostels are located several kilometres apart.

What sports and extracurricular facilities does CUHP offer?

The university has a separate sports department and provides facilities for games like cricket, football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, badminton and table tennis. An annual sports meet of about two weeks, a gym, indoor games in hostels, cultural festivals like Aasra Kulut and various student events run on campus.

How is the food quality in CUHP mess and cafeteria?

Students review hostel mess and canteen food as average to good, noting that it is reasonably priced for a central university. The cafeteria is well-ventilated and offers snacks and basic meals, while hostel food in Dharamshala hostels is considered acceptable for a hilly region.

Is CUHP a single campus or spread across different locations in Kangra?

CUHP currently operates from multiple temporary campuses including Shahpur, Dhauladhar campus in Dharamshala and Sapt Sindhu Parisar in Dehra Gopipur. Permanent Beas Campus at Dehra and Dhauladhar Campus at Dharamshala in Kangra district are under development and the university is gradually shifting activities there.

How safe is CUHP and its surrounding area for students?

CUHP is located in Kangra district (Dharamshala–Shahpur–Dehra belt), which is a popular education and tourist region with relatively calm surroundings. Campuses are Wi‑Fi enabled, have medical clinics, ramps and lifts, and students report a generally safe environment with regular university buses and bank/ATM facilities.

What is the reputation of CUHP compared to other central universities?

Established in 2009 under the Central Universities Act and funded by UGC, CUHP has NAAC A+ accreditation and has featured among top central universities in national rankings. Its status as the first NAAC A+ institution in Himachal Pradesh and low fees give it a strong reputation in the region.

How active is the CUHP alumni network?

CUHP maintains an online alumni database organised by graduation year and field of work and conducts alumni meets on campus and in city chapters. Alumni engage in mentoring, donations, internships and job support through coordination with the university’s placement cell and departments.